About the Study

What is the RESULT-HIP Study?

Hip fracture is the most common serious injury in older people. More than 95% go on to have surgery. This surgery is often high-risk as patients with hip fracture may already be frail and have other health problems including heart disease and anaemia. Patients may be in hospital for a long time and need rehabilitation. Up to 35% of surviving patients do not return to their original place of residence and have a high rate of increased dependency.

Research suggests that 30-40% of these patients have a blood transfusion around the time of operation, but doctors are uncertain about what level of anaemia (a low blood count) transfusions should be given. Many of the current guidelines recommend transfusion at a lower level but there is research which suggests this level is too low, particularly if the patient has a history of heart disease.  In these patients, transfusion at a higher level may be better to prevent complications.

How will the study work?

In this study people 60 years or older with hip fracture that become anaemic will be randomly assigned to be transfused at one of two different blood count levels. Either a lower blood count level in line with current guidelines or a higher blood count level, for the duration of their hospital stay or 30 days whichever is soonest.  Participants will have their blood count checked before and after any blood transfusions and will have additional blood tests and ECG to check their heart.

At 30 days we will measure how often post-operative heart attacks and other complications occur’ how long patients stay in hospital and mortality rate. At 30 and 120 days we will measure quality of life and use of health services.

The study results will help doctors looking after people with hip fracture decide when the best time to give blood transfusions is.

The study is registered with the ISRCTN - you can find the registration information here: 

ISRCTN - ISRCTN28818784: A randomised trial to investigate whether giving more blood transfusions to people undergoing surgery for hip fracture improves their outcomes

Study Protocol:

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